Determine the meaning of words using synonyms in context

Key Notes:

1. Understanding Synonyms

• Definition: Synonyms are words that have similar meanings. For example, “happy” and “joyful” are synonyms.
• Purpose: Using synonyms helps to enrich vocabulary and avoid repetition in writing and speech.

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2. Identifying Synonyms

• Context Clues: Look at the surrounding words and sentences to find clues about the meaning of the word.
  • Example: “The movie was thrilling and very exciting.” The word “exciting” helps to understand that “thrilling” means something that causes strong feelings of excitement.

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3. Using Synonyms in Sentences

• Replace Words: Substitute a word with a synonym to check if the meaning of the sentence remains the same.
  • Example: “The cat was very small and tiny.” Here, “tiny” is a synonym for “small,” and replacing it does not change the sentence’s meaning.

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4. Contextual Clues Types:

• Definition Clues: The text explains the meaning of the word.
  • Example: “The arboreal animal, which means tree-dwelling, lived in the forest.”
• Synonym Clues: A synonym is used in the same sentence or nearby sentences.
  • Example: “Her face turned crimson, or red, with embarrassment.”
• Antonym Clues: Words with opposite meanings are used to explain the word.
  • Example: “Unlike the rough sandpaper, the surface was smooth.”

Let’s practice!